83

WWII Atomic Bomb "Struck Tile" Relic and Other Items Belonging to Colonel H.E. Leech [Military - Hiroshima]

Group of items belonging to Colonel (Medical Corps) Homan E. Leech (1910-2006), documenting his distinguished U.S. Army service during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Colonel Leech was awarded the Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in 1965.

The group includes an atom-struck ceramic roof tile recovered from Sairenji Temple, the explosion center at Hiroshima, Japan, following the atomic bombing, the reverse inscribed, "To Col. Homan E. Leech / From Rev. S. T. Katsuki, the Priest of Sairenji Temple, the Explosion Center, Hiroshima," and housed in a red leather-covered presentation box stamped with Leech's initials.

Also included are ten photo albums filled with hundreds of family photos interspersed with snapshots documenting Leech's military career from WWII onward; two U.S. Army Colonel rank eagle insignia pins, military ribbon bars, a framed hand-painted appreciation certificate from Headquarters, United States Continental Army Command, dated 1965, a battle-worn Korean War-era Red Cross medic flag with a metal number "13" affixed to the reverse, a "Returned from Hell" Korean War silk memorial flag, a Korean national flag, Japanese 50 Sen military currency, a Club Deportivo Hospital Militar sports club pennant dated 1943, a Hellige spring lancet military medical instrument, and additional related military and medical artifacts.

The group further includes a World War II U.S. Navy sailor's handkerchief, Pacific Theater, circa 1944–1945, belonging to George G. Sherwood (1930–2022), a plain cotton handkerchief hand-inscribed with locations and dates documenting Sherwood's service with the Pacific Fleet aboard the USS Terror, including major Pacific campaign areas.

  • Condition: Condition reports are provided as a courtesy and are intended to offer general guidance only. They are not comprehensive and should not be relied upon as a complete statement of condition. All items are sold as is, and the absence of a condition report does not indicate that an item is free of defects, wear, or restoration. Some condition issues may not be specifically noted and may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which form part of the overall description. Bidders are encouraged to examine items in person or to consult a knowledgeable representative prior to bidding. Please contact us with any questions or to request additional information or images, and refer to the Terms of Sale for full details.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Bray & Co. does not offer in-house shipping. Shipping and all associated costs are the responsibility of the buyer. A list of preferred shippers and carriers is available upon request. Bray & Co. shall have no liability for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of property by a third party. If you have questions about shipping, please contact us at [email protected] or (603) 427-8281.

Items can be picked up in person by appointment only at our gallery at 33 Jewell Court in Portsmouth, NH. Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance of pickup. *All first-time buyers that wish to pick items up in person must pay with cash.

April 25, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Portsmouth, NH, US

Bray & Co. Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000